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1968 NFL/AFL draft
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| 1968 NFL/AFL draft | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Date | January 30–31, 1968 |
| Location | Belmont Plaza Hotel in New York City, NY |
| Overview | |
| 462 total selections in 17 rounds | |
| League | NFL, AFL |
| First selection | Ron Yary, OT Minnesota Vikings |
| Most selections (41) | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Fewest selections (11) | New York Giants |
| Hall of Famers | 8
|
The 1968 NFL/AFL draft was part of the common draft, in the second year in which the NFL and AFL held a joint draft of college players. It took place at the Belmont Plaza Hotel in New York City on January 30–31, 1968.[1][2]
The Minnesota Vikings acquired the first overall pick in the draft through a trade with the New York Giants in March 1967 for quarterback Fran Tarkenton.[3] When establishing the common draft between the NFL and AFL, the Giants were able to negotiate that they would receive the option to pick first in either the 1967 or 1968 NFL/AFL drafts, regardless of the presence of an expansion team or their own record from the previous season.[4] They traded this "special wild card" pick in the Tarkenton trade, and the Vikings chose to exercise it in 1968.[3] The expansion Cincinnati Bengals picked second. The Vikings used the first overall pick to select offensive tackle Ron Yary.
This was the last draft until 1980 in which the Washington Redskins exercised their first-round pick. Most of them were traded away by coach George Allen between 1971 and 1977 due to Allen's well-known preference for veteran players over rookies.
Player selections
[edit]| = Pro Bowler[5] | = AFL All-Star[6] | = Hall of Famer |
Round 1
[edit]Round 2
[edit]| Pick # | NFL team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | Cincinnati Bengals | Bill Staley | Defensive end | Utah State |
| 29 | Atlanta Falcons | Carlton Dabney | Defensive end | Morgan State |
| 30 | Los Angeles Rams | Gary Beban[7] | Quarterback | UCLA |
| 31 | Denver Broncos | Curley Culp | Defensive end | Arizona State |
| 32 | Boston Patriots | Tom Funchess | Tackle | Jackson State |
| 33 | Minnesota Vikings | Charlie West | Defensive back | Texas–El Paso |
| 34 | Buffalo Bills | Bob Tatarek | Defensive tackle | Miami (FL) |
| 35 | Miami Dolphins | Jimmy Keyes | Linebacker | Mississippi |
| 36 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Ernie Ruple | Tackle | Arkansas |
| 37 | Detroit Lions | Jerry DePoyster | Kicker | Wyoming |
| 38 | Washington Redskins | Tom Roussel | Linebacker | Southern Mississippi |
| 39 | Philadelphia Eagles | Cyril Pinder | Running back | Illinois |
| 40 | St. Louis Cardinals | Fred Hyatt | Wide receiver | Auburn |
| 41 | New York Giants | Rich Buzin | Tackle | Penn State |
| 42 | St. Louis Cardinals | Bob Atkins | Defensive back | Grambling |
| 43 | San Diego Chargers | Bill Lenkaitis | Center | Penn State |
| 44 | New York Jets | Steve Thompson | Defensive end | Washington |
| 45 | Dallas Cowboys | Dave McDaniels | Wide receiver | Mississippi Valley State |
| 46 | Chicago Bears | Bob Wallace | Wide receiver | Texas–El Paso |
| 47 | Cleveland Browns | John Garlington | Linebacker | LSU |
| 48 | Kansas City Chiefs | Mike Livingston | Quarterback | Southern Methodist |
| 49 | Houston Oilers | Mac Haik | Wide receiver | Mississippi |
| 50 | Baltimore Colts | Bob Grant | Linebacker | Wake Forest |
| 51 | Los Angeles Rams | Mike LaHood | Guard | Wyoming |
| 52 | Oakland Raiders | Ken Stabler | Quarterback | Alabama |
| 53 | Atlanta Falcons | John Wright | Wide receiver | Illinois |
| 54 | Miami Dolphins | Jim Cox | Wide receiver | Miami (FL) |
| 55 | Cincinnati Bengals | Tom Smiley | Running back | Lamar |
Round 3
[edit]| Pick # | NFL team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56 | Cincinnati Bengals | Gary Davis | Quarterback | Vanderbilt |
| 57 | Chicago Bears | Major Hazelton | Defensive back | Florida A&M |
| 58 | Denver Broncos | Garrett Ford | Running back | West Virginia |
| 59 | New Orleans Saints | Dave Szymakowski | Wide receiver | West Texas State |
| 60 | Boston Patriots | Aaron Marsh | Wide receiver | Eastern Kentucky |
| 61 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Jon Henderson | Defensive back | Colorado State |
| 62 | Miami Dolphins | Jim Urbanek | Tackle | Mississippi |
| 63 | Buffalo Bills | Richard Trapp | End | Florida |
| 64 | Cleveland Browns | Harry Olszewski | Guard | Clemson |
| 65 | San Francisco 49ers | Lance Olssen | Tackle | Purdue |
| 66 | Cleveland Browns | Reece Morrison | Running back | Southwest Texas State |
| 67 | Green Bay Packers | Billy Stevens | Quarterback | Texas–El Paso |
| 68 | Philadelphia Eagles | Adrian Young | Linebacker | USC |
| 69 | San Francisco 49ers | Skip Vanderbundt | Linebacker | Oregon State |
| 70 | New York Giants | Bobby Duhon | Running back | Tulane |
| 71 | Dallas Cowboys | Ed Harmon | Linebacker | Louisville |
| 72 | New York Jets | Sam Walton | Tackle | East Texas State |
| 73 | Miami Dolphins | Dick Anderson | Defensive back | Colorado |
| 74 | Detroit Lions | Charlie Sanders | Tight end | Minnesota |
| 75 | Denver Broncos | Bob Vaughn | Offensive tackle | Mississippi |
| 76 | Minnesota Vikings | Mike McGill | Linebacker | Notre Dame |
| 77 | Houston Oilers | Elvin Bethea | Defensive end | North Carolina A&T |
| 78 | Baltimore Colts | Rich O'Hara | Wide receiver | Northern Arizona |
| 79 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Ken Hebert | Wide receiver | Houston |
| 80 | Oakland Raiders | Art Shell | Tackle | Maryland-Eastern Shore |
| 81 | Green Bay Packers | Dick Himes | Tackle | Ohio State |
| 82 | Cincinnati Bengals | Paul Robinson | Running back | Arizona |
| 83 | Cincinnati Bengals | Dale Livingston | Kicker | Western Michigan |
Round 4
[edit]| Pick # | NFL team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84 | Cincinnati Bengals | Jess Phillips | Defensive back | Michigan State |
| 85 | St. Louis Cardinals | Don Fitzgerald | Running back | Kent State |
| 86 | New Orleans Saints | Willie Crittendon | Defensive tackle | Tulsa |
| 87 | Buffalo Bills | Edgar Chandler | Tackle | Georgia |
| 88 | Boston Patriots | R. C. Gamble | Running back | South Carolina State |
| 89 | Minnesota Vikings | Mike Freeman | Defensive back | Fresno State |
| 90 | Kansas City Chiefs | Mickey McCarty | Tight end | Texas Christian |
| 91 | Denver Broncos | Gordon Lambert | Linebacker | Tennessee-Martin |
| 92 | Green Bay Packers | Brendan McCarthy | Running back | Boston College |
| 93 | Detroit Lions | Ed Mooney | Linebacker | Texas Tech |
| 94 | Washington Redskins | Dennis Crane | Defensive tackle | USC |
| 95 | Philadelphia Eagles | Len McNeil | Guard | Fresno State |
| 96 | St. Louis Cardinals | Joe Schmiesing | Linebacker | New Mexico State |
| 97 | Dallas Cowboys | John Douglas | Linebacker | Missouri |
| 98 | San Francisco 49ers | Johnny Fuller | Wide receiver | Lamar |
| 99 | Chicago Bears | Wayne Mass | Tackle | Clemson |
| 100 | San Diego Chargers | Ken Dyer | Wide receiver | Arizona State |
| 101 | New York Jets | Gary Magner | Defensive tackle | USC |
| 102 | Denver Broncos | Drake Garrett | Defensive back | Michigan State |
| 103 | New Orleans Saints | Dan Sartin | Tackle | Mississippi |
| 104 | Cleveland Browns | Wayne Meylan | Linebacker | Nebraska |
| 105 | Houston Oilers | Jim Beirne | Wide receiver | Purdue |
| 106 | Chicago Bears | Alan Bush | Guard | Mississippi |
| 107 | Baltimore Colts | Jim Duncan | Running back | Maryland-Eastern Shore |
| 108 | Green Bay Packers | John Robinson | Wide receiver | Tennessee State |
| 109 | Cincinnati Bengals | Warren McVea | Running back | Houston |
| 110 | Oakland Raiders | Charlie Smith | Running back | Utah |
| 111 | Denver Broncos | Gus Hollomon | Defensive back | Houston |
Round 5
[edit]| Pick # | NFL team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 112 | Cincinnati Bengals | Dave Middendorf | Guard | Washington State |
| 113 | Washington Redskins | Ken Barefoot | Tight end | Virginia Tech |
| 114 | Buffalo Bills | Ben Gregory | Running back | Nebraska |
| 115 | New Orleans Saints | Ronnie Lee South | Quarterback | Arkansas |
| 116 | Boston Patriots | Jim Smithberger | Defensive back | Notre Dame |
| 117 | Washington Redskins | Mike Bragg | Kicker | Richmond |
| 118 | Miami Dolphins | Jim Kiick | Running back | Wyoming |
| 119 | Buffalo Bills | Mike McBath | Defensive end | Penn State |
| 120 | Detroit Lions | Phil Odle | Wide receiver | Brigham Young |
| 121 | Green Bay Packers | Steve Duich | Tackle | San Diego State |
| 122 | Philadelphia Eagles | Mike Dirks | Tackle | Wyoming |
| 123 | St. Louis Cardinals | Rocky Rosema | Linebacker | Michigan |
| 124 | Philadelphia Eagles | Mark Nordquist | Tackle | Pacific |
| 125 | San Francisco 49ers | Dwight Lee | Running back | Michigan State |
| 126 | Baltimore Colts | Paul Elzey | Linebacker | Toledo |
| 127 | Chicago Bears | Cecil Turner | Wide receiver | Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo |
| 128 | New York Jets | Lee Jacobsen | Linebacker | Kearney State |
| 129 | San Diego Chargers | Bill Perry | Tight end | Kent State |
| 130 | Dallas Cowboys | Blaine Nye | Tackle | Stanford |
| 131 | Cleveland Browns | Mike Wempe | Tackle | Missouri |
| 132 | Buffalo Bills | Max Anderson | Running back | Arizona State |
| 133 | Houston Oilers | Bob Longo | Wide receiver | Pittsburgh |
| 134 | Cleveland Browns | Jackie Jackson | Running back | Clemson |
| 135 | Los Angeles Rams | Don Martin | Kicker | Washington |
| 136 | Oakland Raiders | John Naponic | Tackle | Virginia |
| 137 | Green Bay Packers | Francis Winkler | Defensive end | Memphis State |
| 138 | Cincinnati Bengals | Al Beauchamp | Linebacker | Southern |
Round 6
[edit]| Pick # | NFL team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 139 | Cincinnati Bengals | Howard Fest | Tackle | Texas |
| 140 | Atlanta Falcons | Jim Hagle | Running back | Southern Methodist |
| 141 | San Francisco 49ers | Leo Johnson | Wide receiver | Tennessee State |
| 142 | Miami Dolphins | Kim Hammond | Quarterback | Florida State |
| 143 | Cincinnati Bengals | Bill Kindricks | Tackle | Alabama A&M |
| 144 | Minnesota Vikings | Bob Goodridge | Wide receiver | Vanderbilt |
| 145 | Cincinnati Bengals | John Neidert | Linebacker | Louisville |
| 146 | Miami Dolphins | Jimmy Hines | Wide receiver | Texas Southern |
| 147 | Atlanta Falcons | Joe Wynns | Defensive back | South Carolina State |
| 148 | Detroit Lions | Mike Spitzer | Defensive end | San Jose State |
| 149 | Washington Redskins | Willie Banks | Guard | Alcorn State |
| 150 | Philadelphia Eagles | Thurman Randle | Tackle | Texas–El Paso |
| 151 | St. Louis Cardinals | Frank Lane | Linebacker | Stephen F. Austin |
| 152 | Cleveland Browns | Nathaniel James | Defensive back | Florida A&M |
| 153 | San Francisco 49ers | Bill Belk | Defensive end | Maryland-Eastern Shore |
| 154 | Chicago Bears | Jim Schmedding | Center | Weber State |
| 155 | Cincinnati Bengals | Dewey Warren | Quarterback | Tennessee |
| 156 | Cincinnati Bengals | Essex Johnson | Defensive back | Grambling |
| 157 | Philadelphia Eagles | Dave Martin | Defensive back | Notre Dame |
| 158 | Cincinnati Bengals | Elmo Malple | Wide receiver | Southern |
| 159 | Dallas Cowboys | D.D. Lewis | Linebacker | Mississippi State |
| 160 | Cincinnati Bengals | Sidney Ellis | Defensive back | Jackson |
| 161 | Los Angeles Rams | Bobby Webb | Center | Southern Mississippi |
| 162 | Atlanta Falcons | Rick Eber | Wide receiver | Tulsa |
| 163 | Cincinnati Bengals | Charles Williams | Running back | Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| 164 | Green Bay Packers | Walter Chadwick | Running back | Tennessee |
| 165 | Cincinnati Bengals | James Johnson | Defensive back | South Carolina State |
Round 7
[edit]| Pick # | NFL team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 166 | Cincinnati Bengals | Steve Smith | Tight end | Miami (FL) |
| 167 | Minnesota Vikings | Oscar Reed | Wide receiver | Colorado State |
| 168 | Oakland Raiders | John Harper | Center | Adams State |
| 169 | New Orleans Saints | Ray Phillips | Guard | Michigan |
| 170 | Boston Patriots | John Schneider | Quarterback | Toledo |
| 171 | Minnesota Vikings | Lenny Snow | Running back | Georgia Tech |
| 172 | Miami Dolphins | John Boynton | Tackle | Tennessee |
| 173 | Buffalo Bills | Pete Richardson | Defensive back | Dayton |
| 174 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Doug Dalton | Running back | New Mexico State |
| 175 | New Orleans Saints | Gene Howard | Wide receiver | Langston |
| 176 | Washington Redskins | Bob Brunet | Running back | Louisiana Tech |
| 177 | St. Louis Cardinals | Ken Henry | Wide receiver | Wake Forest |
| 178 | Philadelphia Eagles | Joe Przybycki | Guard | Michigan State |
| 179 | San Francisco 49ers | Jerry Richardson | Linebacker | Mississippi |
| 180 | New York Giants | Doug Chatman | Defensive end | Jackson State |
| 181 | Chicago Bears | Willie Holman | Defensive end | South Carolina State |
| 182 | New York Jets | Oscar Lubke | Tackle | Ball State |
| 183 | San Diego Chargers | Lane Fenner | Wide receiver | Florida State |
| 184 | Kansas City Chiefs | Sammy Grezaffi | Defensive back | LSU |
| 185 | Dallas Cowboys | Bob Taucher | Tackle | Nebraska |
| 186 | Cleveland Browns | Dale Brady | Running back | Memphis State |
| 187 | Houston Oilers | Paul Toscano | Defensive back | Wyoming |
| 188 | Baltimore Colts | Anthony Andrews | Running back | Hampton |
| 189 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Bill Glennon | Defensive tackle | Washington |
| 190 | Oakland Raiders | George Atkinson | Safety | Morris Brown |
| 191 | Green Bay Packers | Andy Beath | Defensive back | Duke |
| 192 | Cincinnati Bengals | Wes Bean | Linebacker | Grambling |
Round 8
[edit]| Pick # | NFL team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 193 | Cincinnati Bengals | Harry Gunner | Linebacker | Oregon State |
| 194 | Atlanta Falcons | Ray Jeffords | Tight end | Georgia |
| 195 | New Orleans Saints | Dick Swatland | Guard | Notre Dame |
| 196 | Denver Broncos | Steve Holloway | Defensive back | Weber State |
| 197 | Boston Patriots | Daryl Johnson | Defensive back | Morgan State |
| 198 | Minnesota Vikings | Hank Urbanowicz | Defensive tackle | Miami (FL) |
| 199 | Buffalo Bills | Bob Kalsu | Tackle | Oklahoma |
| 200 | New York Jets | Bob Taylor | Running back | Maryland-Eastern Shore |
| 201 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Danny Holman | Quarterback | San Jose State |
| 202 | Detroit Lions | Terry Miller | Linebacker | Illinois |
| 203 | Washington Redskins | Brian Magnuson | Running back | Montana |
| 204 | Philadelphia Eagles | Al Lavan | Defensive back | Colorado State |
| 205 | St. Louis Cardinals | Jerry Daanen | Wide receiver | Miami (FL) |
| 206 | San Francisco 49ers | Charley Brown | Tackle | Augustana (SD) |
| 207 | San Francisco 49ers | Tom Gray | Wide receiver | Morehead State |
| 208 | Chicago Bears | Wayne Bell | Running back | Lenoir-Rhyne |
| 209 | San Diego Chargers | Elliot Gammage | Tight end | Tennessee |
| 210 | New York Jets | Jim Richards | Defensive back | Virginia Tech |
| 211 | Dallas Cowboys | Frank Brown | Defensive tackle | Albany State |
| 212 | Cleveland Browns | Tom Schoen | Defensive back | Notre Dame |
| 213 | Kansas City Chiefs | Lindon endsley | Center | North Texas State |
| 214 | New York Jets | Karl Henke | Defensive tackle | Tulsa |
| 215 | Los Angeles Rams | Joe Williams | Wide receiver | Florida A&M |
| 216 | Baltimore Colts | Tommy Davis | Guard | Tennessee State |
| 217 | Miami Dolphins | Randy Edmunds | Linebacker | Georgia Tech |
| 218 | Green Bay Packers | Tom Owens | Guard | Missouri-Rolla |
| 219 | Cincinnati Bengals | Ed Brantley | Tackle | North Texas State |
Round 9
[edit]| Pick # | NFL team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 220 | Cincinnati Bengals | Phil Johnson | Defensive back | Long Beach State |
| 221 | Atlanta Falcons | Henry Holland | Center | North Texas State |
| 222 | Denver Broncos | Paul Smith | Linebacker | New Mexico |
| 223 | New Orleans Saints | Joe Blake | Tackle | Tulsa |
| 224 | Houston Oilers | Bob Robertson | Center | Illinois |
| 225 | Minnesota Vikings | Mike Donohoe | Tight end | San Francisco |
| 226 | Miami Dolphins | Sam McDowell | Tackle | Southwest Missouri State |
| 227 | Buffalo Bills | Gary McDermott | Running back | Tulsa |
| 228 | Pittsburgh Steelers | John Knight | Defensive end | Weber State |
| 229 | Detroit Lions | Greg Barton | Quarterback | Tulsa |
| 230 | Washington Redskins | Frank Liberatore | Defensive back | Clemson |
| 231 | St. Louis Cardinals | Billy Sinkule | Defensive end | Central Michigan |
| 232 | Philadelphia Eagles | Mike Evans | Center | Boston College |
| 233 | San Francisco 49ers | Case Boyett | Wide receiver | Brigham Young |
| 234 | New York Giants | Joe Koontz | Wide receiver | Cal State-San Francisco |
| 235 | Chicago Bears | Sam Moore | Tackle | Mississippi Valley State |
| 236 | New York Jets | Gary Houser | Tight end | Oregon State |
| 237 | San Diego Chargers | Grundy Harris | Running back | Southern |
| 238 | Cleveland Browns | David Porter | Defensive tackle | Michigan |
| 239 | Kansas City Chiefs | Wayne McClure | Linebacker | Mississippi |
| 240 | Miami Dolphins | Tom Paciorek | Defensive back | Houston |
| 241 | Dallas Cowboys | Ken Kmiec | Defensive back | Illinois |
| 242 | Baltimore Colts | Terry Cole | Running back | Indiana |
| 243 | Los Angeles Rams | Bob Richardson | Tackle | Washington |
| 244 | Oakland Raiders | John Eason | Tight end | Florida A&M |
| 245 | Green Bay Packers | Bob Apisa | Running back | Michigan State |
| 246 | Cincinnati Bengals | Steve Hanrahan | Defensive tackle | Weber State |
Round 10
[edit]| Pick # | NFL team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 247 | Cincinnati Bengals | Wayne Patrick | Running back | Louisville |
| 248 | Atlanta Falcons | Mike Tomasini | Defensive tackle | Colorado State |
| 249 | Boston Patriots | John Outlaw | Defensive back | Jackson State |
| 250 | Minnesota Vikings | Tom Sakal | Defensive back | Minnesota |
| 251 | Buffalo Bills | Jerome Lawson | Defensive back | Utah |
| 252 | Denver Broncos | Bob Langford | Tackle | Middle Tennessee State |
| 253 | Miami Dolphins | Joe Mirto | Tackle | Miami (FL) |
| 254 | New Orleans Saints | Doug Robinson | Defensive back | Iowa State |
| 255 | Cleveland Browns | James Greer | Defensive end | Stephen F. Austin |
| 256 | Detroit Lions | Granville Liggins | Linebacker | Oklahoma |
| 257 | Baltimore Colts | Ocie Austin | Defensive back | Utah State |
| 258 | Philadelphia Eagles | John Mallory | Defensive back | West Virginia |
| 259 | St. Louis Cardinals | Tom Busch | Wide receiver | Iowa State |
| 260 | Green Bay Packers | Rick Cash | Tackle | Northeast Missouri State |
| 261 | San Francisco 49ers | Tommy Hart | Linebacker | Morris Brown |
| 262 | Chicago Bears | Fred Davis | Guard | Doane |
| 263 | Houston Oilers | Joe Raymond Peace | Linebacker | Louisiana Tech |
| 264 | New York Jets | Mike D'Amato | Defensive back | Hofstra |
| 265 | Kansas City Chiefs | Jack Gehrke | Wide receiver | Utah |
| 266 | Dallas Cowboys | Ben Olison | Wide receiver | Kansas |
| 267 | Cleveland Browns | Alvin Mitchell | Wide receiver | Morgan State |
| 268 | Houston Oilers | Tom Domres | Defensive end | Wisconsin |
| 269 | Los Angeles Rams | Allen Marcelin | Wide receiver | Parsons |
| 270 | Baltimore Colts | Ed Tomlin | Running back | Hampton |
| 271 | Oakland Raiders | Rick Owens | Defensive back | Pennsylvania |
| 272 | Green Bay Packers | Ron Worthen | Center | Arkansas State |
| 273 | Cincinnati Bengals | James Russell | End | North Texas State |
Round 11
[edit]| Pick # | NFL team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 274 | Cincinnati Bengals | Wally Scott | Defensive back | Arizona |
| 275 | Atlanta Falcons | Greg Brezina | Linebacker | Houston |
| 276 | Oakland Raiders | Marvin Hubbard | Running back | Colgate |
| 277 | New Orleans Saints | Bennie Blocker | Tight end | South Carolina State |
| 278 | Boston Patriots | Paul Feldhausen | Tackle | Northland |
| 279 | Minnesota Vikings | Bill Haas | Wide receiver | Nebraska-Omaha |
| 280 | Miami Dolphins | Cornelius Cooper | Tackle | Prairie View A&M |
| 281 | Buffalo Bills | Dick Plagge | Running back | Auburn |
| 282 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Kim King | Quarterback | Georgia Tech |
| 283 | Detroit Lions | Dwight Little | Guard | Kentucky |
| 284 | Washington Redskins | Tom Garretson | Defensive back | Northwestern |
| 285 | St. Louis Cardinals | Larry Slagle | Guard | UCLA |
| 286 | Philadelphia Eagles | Len Persin | Defensive end | Boston College |
| 287 | San Francisco 49ers | Dennis Fitzgibbons | Guard | Syracuse |
| 288 | New York Giants | Henry Davis | Defensive end | Grambling |
| 289 | Chicago Bears | Rich Coady | Tight end | Memphis State |
| 290 | New York Jets | Henry Owens | Wide receiver | Weber State |
| 291 | San Diego Chargers | Dennis Partee | Kicker | Southern Methodist |
| 292 | Dallas Cowboys | Ron Shotts | Running back | Oklahoma |
| 293 | Cleveland Browns | Jim Alcorn | Quarterback | Clarion |
| 294 | Kansas City Chiefs | Tom Nosewicz | Defensive end | Tulane |
| 295 | Houston Oilers | Bill Halley | Wide receiver | La Verne |
| 296 | Baltimore Colts | Bill Pickens | Guard | Houston |
| 297 | Los Angeles Rams | John Pergine | Linebacker | Notre Dame |
| 298 | Oakland Raiders | Ralph (Chip) Oliver | Linebacker | USC |
| 299 | Green Bay Packers | Gordon Rule | Defensive back | Dartmouth |
| 300 | Cincinnati Bengals | Jeff Banks | Linebacker | Pacific |
Round 12
[edit]| Pick # | NFL team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 301 | Cincinnati Bengals | Bob Trumpy | Tight end | Utah |
| 302 | Atlanta Falcons | A.J. Vaughn | Running back | Wayne State |
| 303 | New Orleans Saints | John Beck | Defensive back | San Diego State |
| 304 | Denver Broncos | Bobby Hendrix | Tackle | Mississippi |
| 305 | Boston Patriots | Jim Cheyunski | Linebacker | Syracuse |
| 306 | Buffalo Bills | Greg Pipes | Linebacker | Baylor |
| 307 | Miami Dolphins | Paul Paxton | Tackle | Akron |
| 308 | Minnesota Vikings | Howie Small | Center | Rhode Island |
| 309 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Sam Wheeler | Linebacker | Wisconsin |
| 310 | Detroit Lions | Ed Caruthers | Defensive back | Arizona |
| 311 | Washington Redskins | Dave Weedman | Defensive tackle | Western Washington |
| 312 | Philadelphia Eagles | Thurston Taylor | Tight end | Florida State |
| 313 | St. Louis Cardinals | Vernon Emerson | Tackle | Minnesota-Duluth |
| 314 | New York Giants | Jim Holifield | Defensive back | Jackson State |
| 315 | San Francisco 49ers | Henry Johnson | Quarterback | Fisk |
| 316 | Chicago Bears | Emilio Vallez | Linebacker | New Mexico |
| 317 | San Diego Chargers | Jeff Queen | Linebacker | Morgan State |
| 318 | New York Jets | Ray Hayes | Defensive tackle | Toledo |
| 319 | Cleveland Browns | Tom Beutler | Linebacker | Toledo |
| 320 | Kansas City Chiefs | Bobby Johns | Defensive back | Alabama |
| 321 | Dallas Cowboys | Wilson Whitty | Linebacker | Boston University |
| 322 | Houston Oilers | Barry Lischner | Running back | Missouri |
| 323 | Los Angeles Rams | Harold Jackson | Wide receiver | Jackson State |
| 324 | Baltimore Colts | James Jackson | Tackle | Jackson State |
| 325 | Green Bay Packers | Dennis Porter | Tackle | Northern Michigan |
| 326 | Oakland Raiders | Larry Plantz | Wide receiver | Colorado |
| 327 | Cincinnati Bengals | Harold Jones | Tackle | Grambling |
Round 13
[edit]| Pick # | NFL team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 328 | Cincinnati Bengals | James Bivins | Linebacker | Texas Southern |
| 329 | Atlanta Falcons | Billy Harris | Running back | Colorado |
| 330 | Denver Broncos | Charlie Greer | Defensive back | Colorado |
| 331 | New Orleans Saints | K.O. Trepanier | Defensive end | Montana State |
| 332 | Boston Patriots | Max Huber | Tackle | Brigham Young |
| 333 | Minnesota Vikings | Rich Wherry | Wide receiver | Northern State (SD) |
| 334 | Miami Dolphins | Bob Joswick | Defensive tackle | Tulsa |
| 335 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Joe Roundy | Guard | Puget Sound |
| 336 | Buffalo Bills | Dan Darragh | Quarterback | William & Mary |
| 337 | Detroit Lions | Chuck Bailey | Tackle | Cal State-Humboldt |
| 338 | Washington Redskins | Mike St. Louis | Tackle | Central Missouri State |
| 339 | St. Louis Cardinals | Mack Sauls | Defensive back | Southwest Texas State |
| 340 | Philadelphia Eagles | George Barron | Tackle | Mississippi State |
| 341 | San Francisco 49ers | Tom Mitrakos | Center | Pittsburgh |
| 342 | New York Giants | John Gallagher | Defensive end | Boston University |
| 343 | Chicago Bears | Willie Dearion | Wide receiver | Prairie View A&M |
| 344 | New York Jets | Tom Myslinski | Guard | Maryland |
| 345 | San Diego Chargers | Fred Combs | Defensive back | North Carolina State |
| 346 | Kansas City Chiefs | Jim Kavanagh | Wide receiver | Boston College |
| 347 | Dallas Cowboys | Carter Lord | Wide receiver | Harvard |
| 348 | Cleveland Browns | Terry Sellers | Defensive back | Georgia |
| 349 | Houston Oilers | James Dousay | Running back | LSU |
| 350 | Baltimore Colts | Howard Tennebar | Tackle | Kent State |
| 351 | Los Angeles Rams | Dean Halverson | Linebacker | Washington |
| 352 | Oakland Raiders | Larry Blackstone | Running back | Fairmont State |
| 353 | Green Bay Packers | Frank Geiselman | Wide receiver | Rhode Island |
| 354 | Cincinnati Bengals | Teddy Washington | Running back | San Diego State |
Round 14
[edit]| Pick # | NFL team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 355 | Cincinnati Bengals | Les Webster | Running back | Iowa State |
| 356 | Atlanta Falcons | Joe Polk | Running back | Livingstone |
| 357 | Denver Broncos | Marlin Briscoe | Quarterback | Nebraska-Omaha |
| 358 | Boston Patriots | Henry McKay | Defensive end | Guilford |
| 359 | New Orleans Saints | Herb Covington | Running back | Memphis State |
| 360 | Minnesota Vikings | Don Evans | Tackle | Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| 361 | Buffalo Bills | Chuck DeVliegher | Defensive tackle | Memphis State |
| 362 | Miami Dolphins | Ray Blunk | Tight end | Xavier |
| 363 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Lou Harris | Defensive end | Kent State |
| 364 | Detroit Lions | Richie Davis | Wide receiver | Upsala |
| 365 | Washington Redskins | Dave Zivich | Tackle | California-Santa Barbara |
| 366 | Philadelphia Eagles | Dan Williamson | Linebacker | West Virginia |
| 367 | St. Louis Cardinals | Vic Bender | Center | Northeast Louisiana |
| 368 | New York Giants | Bill Moreman | Running back | Florida State |
| 369 | San Francisco 49ers | Alex Moore | Running back | Norfolk State |
| 370 | Chicago Bears | Harold Gargus | Defensive tackle | New Mexico State |
| 371 | San Diego Chargers | Jim Campbell | Linebacker | West Texas State |
| 372 | New York Jets | Harvey Nairn | Running back | Southern |
| 373 | Dallas Cowboys | Ron Williams | Defensive back | West Virginia |
| 374 | Cleveland Browns | Edgar Whipps | Running back | Jackson State |
| 375 | Kansas City Chiefs | Robert Holmes | Running back | Southern |
| 376 | Houston Oilers | Richard Stotter | Guard | Houston |
| 377 | Los Angeles Rams | Cephus Jackson | Defensive back | Jackson State |
| 378 | Baltimore Colts | Charles Mitchell | Tight end | Alabama State |
| 379 | Oakland Raiders | Ray Carlson | Linebacker | Hamline |
| 380 | Green Bay Packers | John Farler | Wide receiver | Colorado |
| 381 | Cincinnati Bengals | Steve Lewicke | Wide receiver | Texas–El Paso |
Round 15
[edit]| Pick # | NFL team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 382 | Cincinnati Bengals | Harvey Palmore | Guard | Morgan State |
| 383 | Atlanta Falcons | Don Bean | Wide receiver | Houston |
| 384 | New Orleans Saints | Wilmer Cooks | Running back | Colorado |
| 385 | Boston Patriots | Art McMahon | Defensive back | North Carolina State |
| 386 | Denver Broncos | Jeff Kuhman | Linebacker | Vermont |
| 387 | Minnesota Vikings | Jim Haynie | Quarterback | West Chester |
| 388 | Miami Dolphins | Ken Corbin | Linebacker | Miami (FL) |
| 389 | Buffalo Bills | John Gilmore | Defensive tackle | Peru State |
| 390 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Bob Lanning | Defensive end | Northern Montana |
| 391 | Detroit Lions | Jim Oliver | Running back | Colorado State |
| 392 | Washington Redskins | Coger Coverson | Guard | Texas Southern |
| 393 | St. Louis Cardinals | Dave Lovich | Defensive end | Northwestern State (LA) |
| 394 | Philadelphia Eagles | Joe Graham | Guard | Tennessee |
| 395 | San Francisco 49ers | Clarence Spencer | Wide receiver | Louisville |
| 396 | New York Giants | McKinley Boston | Guard | Minnesota |
| 397 | Chicago Bears | Rich Jaeger | Center | Gustavus Adolphus |
| 398 | New York Jets | Ronnie Ehrig | Defensive back | Texas |
| 399 | San Diego Chargers | Dan Kramarczyk | Tackle | Dayton |
| 400 | Cleveland Browns | Bob Baxter | Wide receiver | Memphis State |
| 401 | Kansas City Chiefs | Bill Chambless | Guard | Miami (FL) |
| 402 | Dallas Cowboys | Tony Lunceford | Kicker | Auburn |
| 403 | San Diego Chargers | Robert Wells | Tackle | Johnson C. Smith |
| 404 | Baltimore Colts | Jeff Beaver | Quarterback | North Carolina |
| 405 | Los Angeles Rams | Dennis Yell | Tackle | Moorhead State |
| 406 | Oakland Raiders | Mike Leinert | Running back | Texas Tech |
| 407 | Green Bay Packers | Ridley Gibson | Defensive back | Baylor |
| 408 | Cincinnati Bengals | Joe Mira | Wide receiver | Miami (FL) |
Round 16
[edit]| Pick # | NFL team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 409 | Cincinnati Bengals | Monk Williams | Defensive back | Alcorn State |
| 410 | Atlanta Falcons | Roy Hall | Tackle | San Jose State |
| 411 | New Orleans Saints | Elie Ghattas | Guard | Ball State |
| 412 | Denver Broncos | Adin Brown | Linebacker | William & Mary |
| 413 | Boston Patriots | Charley Fulton | Running back | Tennessee |
| 414 | Minnesota Vikings | Lary Kuharich | Defensive back | Boston College |
| 415 | Buffalo Bills | John Frantz | Center | California |
| 416 | Miami Dolphins | Henry Still | Defensive tackle | Bethune-Cookman |
| 417 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Rocky Bleier | Running back | Notre Dame |
| 418 | Detroit Lions | Bob Rokita | Defensive end | Arizona State |
| 419 | Washington Redskins | Willie Turner | Running back | Jackson State |
| 420 | Philadelphia Eagles | Phil Creel | Tackle | Northwestern State (LA) |
| 421 | St. Louis Cardinals | Dan Lankas | Linebacker | Kansas State |
| 422 | New York Giants | Kenny Parker | Defensive back | Fordham |
| 423 | San Francisco 49ers | Tom Rosenow | Defensive tackle | Northern Illinois |
| 424 | Chicago Bears | Jim Murphy | Kicker | Utah State |
| 425 | San Diego Chargers | Dick Farley | Defensive back | Boston University |
| 426 | New York Jets | Tom Bilotta | Guard | Adams State |
| 427 | Kansas City Chiefs | Pat Talbert | Tackle | Southwest Missouri State |
| 428 | Dallas Cowboys | Larry Cole | Defensive tackle | Hawaii |
| 429 | Cleveland Browns | Dick Sievert | Defensive end | Wisconsin–River Falls |
| 430 | Houston Oilers | Bob Smith | Defensive back | Miami (OH) |
| 431 | Los Angeles Rams | Jimmy Raye | Quarterback | Michigan State |
| 432 | Baltimore Colts | Walt Blackledge | Wide receiver | San Jose State |
| 433 | Oakland Raiders | David Morrison | Defensive back | Southwest Texas State |
| 434 | Green Bay Packers | Al Groves | Tackle | St. Norbert |
| 435 | Cincinnati Bengals | Brown Marks | Linebacker | Indiana |
Round 17
[edit]| Pick # | NFL team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 436 | Cincinnati Bengals | Don Manning | Linebacker | UCLA |
| 437 | Atlanta Falcons | Jim Schmidt | Defensive back | Cal State-San Francisco |
| 438 | Denver Broncos | Steve Grady | Running back | USC |
| 439 | New Orleans Saints | Jim Ferguson | Linebacker | USC |
| 440 | Boston Patriots | Ed Koontz | Linebacker | Catawba |
| 441 | Minnesota Vikings | Bob Lee | Quarterback | Pacific |
| 442 | Miami Dolphins | Bill Nemeth | Center | Arizona |
| 443 | Buffalo Bills | Dick Hines | Defensive tackle | Kentucky State |
| 444 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Bob Cole | Linebacker | South Carolina |
| 445 | Minnesota Vikings | Bill Hull | Guard | Tennessee Tech |
| 446 | Washington Redskins | Frank Bosch | Defensive tackle | Colorado |
| 447 | St. Louis Cardinals | Bob Lee | Wide receiver | Minnesota |
| 448 | Philadelphia Eagles | Joe Forzani | Linebacker | Utah State |
| 449 | San Francisco 49ers | Dennis Patera | Kicker | Brigham Young |
| 450 | New York Giants | Larry Kohn | Tight end | Georgia |
| 451 | Chicago Bears | Gene Layton | Defensive tackle | Colorado State |
| 452 | New York Jets | Myles Strasser | Running back | Wisconsin–Oshkosh |
| 453 | San Diego Chargers | Dan Andrews | Tight end | West Texas State |
| 454 | Dallas Cowboys | George Nordgren | Running back | Houston |
| 455 | Cleveland Browns | Wayne McDuffie | Center | Florida State |
| 456 | Kansas City Chiefs | Wesley Williams | Linebacker | Texas Southern |
| 457 | Houston Oilers | Billy Alsbrooks | Defensive back | North Carolina Central |
| 458 | Baltimore Colts | Roy Pederson | Linebacker | Northern Iowa |
| 459 | Philadelphia Eagles | Frank Antonini | Running back | Parsons |
| 460 | Oakland Raiders | Steve Berry | Wide receiver | Catawba |
| 461 | Green Bay Packers | Ken Rota | Running back | North Dakota State |
| 462[8] | Cincinnati Bengals | Jimmy Smith | Tight end | Jackson State |
| = Pro Bowler[5] | = AFL All-Star[6] | = Hall of Famer |
Hall of Famers
[edit]- Larry Csonka, running back from Syracuse, taken 1st round 8th overall by AFL's Miami Dolphins
- Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 1987.[9]
- Art Shell, offensive tackle from Maryland Eastern Shore, taken 3rd round 80th overall by AFL's Oakland Raiders
- Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 1989.[9]
- Ron Yary, offensive tackle from Southern California, taken 1st round 1st overall by Minnesota Vikings
- Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2001.[10]
- Elvin Bethea, offensive tackle from North Carolina A&T, taken 3rd round 77th overall by AFL's Houston Oilers
- Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2003.[10]
- Charlie Sanders, tight end from Minnesota, taken 3rd round 74th overall by Detroit Lions
- Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2007.[10]
- Curley Culp, defensive tackle from Arizona State, taken 2nd round 31st overall by AFL's Denver Broncos
- Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2013.
- Claude Humphrey, defensive end from Tennessee State, taken 1st round 3rd overall by Atlanta Falcons
- Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2014.
- Ken Stabler, quarterback from Alabama, taken 2nd round 52nd overall by AFL's Oakland Raiders
- Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2016.[11]
Notable undrafted players
[edit]| † | = Pro Bowler[5] |
References
[edit]- ^ "NFL Draft Locations". www.footballgeography.com. October 2, 2014. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- ^ Salomone, Dan (October 2, 2014). "NFL Draft headed to Chicago in 2015". Giants.com. New York Giants. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
- ^ a b "Hardy, Carr, Yary High on Draft List". The Atlanta Constitution. January 30, 1968. Retrieved April 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Snyder, Cameron C. (March 8, 1967). "Colts May Lose Top Draft Right". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c Players are identified as a Pro Bowler if they were selected for the Pro-Bowl at any time in their career.
- ^ a b Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star team at any time in their career.
- ^ Gary Beban, 1967 Heisman Trophy winner "Heisman Trophy". Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
- ^ This last selection is commonly referred to as Mr. Irrelevant.
- ^ a b List of 1980s Hall of Fame Inductee's at profootballhof.com "Pro Football Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on July 31, 2008. Retrieved October 7, 2008.
- ^ a b c List of 2000s Hall of Fame Inductee's at profootballhof.com "Pro Football Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on July 31, 2008. Retrieved October 7, 2008.
- ^ List of Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees
External links
[edit]1968 NFL/AFL draft
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
The 1968 NFL/AFL draft was the second common draft conducted jointly by the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL), held over two days on January 30–31 at the Belmont Plaza Hotel in New York City.[1][2] This event consisted of 17 rounds in which 462 college players were selected by the 26 teams from both leagues, marking a key step in the pre-merger talent acquisition process as the leagues competed for top prospects.[1] The Minnesota Vikings held the first overall pick and chose offensive tackle Ron Yary from the University of Southern California, who became a cornerstone of their offensive line and the first offensive lineman ever selected No. 1 overall.[3][4]
The draft's significance is underscored by its production of eight Pro Football Hall of Famers, more than many other drafts from the era, including Yary (inducted 2001), defensive end Claude Humphrey (selected third overall by the Atlanta Falcons from Tennessee State, inducted 2014), and running back Larry Csonka (eighth overall by the Miami Dolphins from Syracuse, inducted 1987).[5] Other enshrined players included defensive tackle Curley Culp (thirty-first overall by the Denver Broncos from Arizona State, inducted 2013), quarterback Ken Stabler (fifty-second overall by the Oakland Raiders from Alabama, inducted 2016), tight end Charlie Sanders (seventy-fourth overall by the Detroit Lions from Minnesota, inducted 2007), defensive end Elvin Bethea (seventy-seventh overall by the Houston Oilers from North Carolina A&T, inducted 2003), and offensive tackle Art Shell (eightieth overall by the Raiders from Maryland State, inducted 1989).[5][4] These selections contributed to championship runs for several teams, such as the Dolphins' Super Bowl victories in the 1970s led by Csonka and the Raiders' success with Stabler and Shell.
As an expansion franchise, the Cincinnati Bengals benefited from a special allocation, receiving the second pick in the first round (center Bob Johnson from Tennessee) as well as the first and last picks in rounds 2 through 17, allowing them to build a foundational roster quickly.[6] The draft also featured several high-profile trades, reflecting the intense competition between the leagues just two years before their 1970 merger.[6] Overall, the 1968 draft exemplified the talent depth of college football at the time and helped shape the rosters that would define the early years of the unified NFL.[3]
Among the top selections, Ron Yary, chosen first by the Vikings, anchored the offensive line for 15 seasons, earning six First-Team All-Pro honors, seven Pro Bowl nods, and induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001 for his role in protecting Fran Tarkenton and enabling the team's "Purple People Eaters" defense era. Bob Johnson, the Bengals' second overall pick, started at center for 11 of his 12 NFL seasons, primarily with Cincinnati, and earned one Pro Bowl selection in 1970 while contributing to the franchise's early stability. Claude Humphrey, selected third by the Falcons, recorded 96.5 career sacks over 14 seasons, garnered two First-Team All-Pro selections and six Pro Bowls, and was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2014 for his pass-rushing dominance. Russ Washington, the Chargers' fourth pick, played 10 years at offensive tackle, earning five Pro Bowl appearances and helping solidify San Diego's line during the AFL-NFL merger transition. Fred Carr, taken fifth by the Packers, linebacker for a decade in Green Bay, amassed three Pro Bowl honors and intercepted 10 passes, providing defensive leadership during the team's post-Vince Lombardi rebuild.[24][25]
Despite these efforts, Round 15 yielded no long-term starters or impact players, with the majority of draftees failing to appear in regular-season games or lasting beyond training camp.[4] For instance, Palmore appeared briefly with the Bengals in 1968 but did not play in any official games, later moving to minor leagues.[67] Wells managed 20 games as a reserve tackle for the Chargers from 1968 to 1970, starting just twice without notable contributions.[68] Defensive end McKinley Boston, picked 396th by the New York Giants from the University of Minnesota, logged 27 games over two seasons (1968–1969) but recorded no tackles or sacks.[69] This pattern exemplified the high-risk, low-reward nature of late-round selections in the era's extended 17-round format.[65]
Background
Merger negotiations
The merger between the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL) was announced on June 8, 1966, by NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle, marking a pivotal resolution to years of intense rivalry. This agreement stemmed from secret negotiations involving key figures such as Rozelle, AFL founder and Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt, Dallas Cowboys general manager Tex Schramm, and AFL Commissioner Al Davis, who initially opposed the deal but relented. The merger addressed the AFL's 1962 antitrust lawsuit against the NFL, which alleged monopolistic practices; in exchange for settling the suit, Congress granted the leagues an antitrust exemption on October 21, 1966, allowing the consolidation without legal challenges.[7][8] A core component of the 1966 agreement was the establishment of a common player draft beginning in 1967, which eliminated the bidding wars that had driven player salaries skyward and strained both leagues' finances. Prior to the merger, the competition peaked in 1966, as teams aggressively pursued college talent in a fragmented market. The joint draft ensured a unified selection process, fostering stability and preventing further escalation of costs, while the leagues operated as separate entities during a three-year transition period.[7] The 1968 draft represented the second year of this common selection process under the merger framework, occurring midway through the transition as the leagues prepared for full integration by 1970. During this interim, the AFL retained its identity and structure but aligned with NFL operations, including the inaugural AFL-NFL World Championship Game (later the Super Bowl) held in January 1967. The agreement expanded the league to 24 teams initially, growing to 26 by 1968 and 28 by 1970, with the AFL teams forming the American Football Conference. This phased approach allowed for gradual alignment of rules, schedules, and divisions while ending the era of duplicative franchises in the same markets.[7][8]Pre-draft trades and eligibility
One of the most significant pre-draft trades shaping the 1968 NFL/AFL draft occurred on March 7, 1967, when the Minnesota Vikings acquired the New York Giants' first-round pick (No. 1 overall) in exchange for quarterback Fran Tarkenton, along with the Giants' 1967 first-round pick (No. 2 overall, used on running back Clint Jones), 1967 second-round pick (No. 28 overall, used on wide receiver Bob Grim), 1968 first-round pick (No. 1 overall, used on offensive tackle Ron Yary), and 1970 second-round pick (No. 41 overall, used on guard Ron Saul). This deal, orchestrated to bolster the Vikings' lineup with high draft capital, positioned Minnesota to select offensive tackle Ron Yary first overall in 1968, marking a pivotal shift in their franchise trajectory. The trade exemplified the growing emphasis on draft assets amid the NFL-AFL merger, allowing teams to maneuver for top talent without immediate on-field concessions.[6][9] Expansion teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, entering the AFL in 1968, also engaged in notable trades to build their roster foundation, often trading future picks for established players or compensatory selections. As part of their expansion allocation, Cincinnati received the No. 2 overall pick in the common draft, enabling them to select center Bob Johnson from Tennessee, while additional trades such as acquiring quarterback John Stofa from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a future pick helped address immediate needs. These maneuvers reflected the strategic balancing act for new franchises, leveraging trades to supplement high draft positioning granted by league expansion rules.[6][10][11] Eligibility for the 1968 draft was restricted to college seniors who had exhausted their eligibility during the 1967 season or players who had already graduated, with no provisions for underclassmen to declare early—a policy rooted in the NFL's longstanding commitment to preserving college football's integrity and ensuring player maturity. This rule, in place since the draft's inception, meant the talent pool consisted primarily of fourth-year athletes from the 1967 college campaigns, excluding promising juniors or sophomores unless they had special circumstances like military service deferrals. Declarations were typically formalized by January, aligning with the end of the college season and allowing teams ample time for evaluation.[12][13] Teams invested heavily in scouting to navigate this defined eligibility pool, with the Dallas Cowboys under personnel director Gil Brandt pioneering innovative methods that influenced league-wide practices. Brandt introduced computerized scouting in the early 1960s using IBM systems to analyze player metrics like speed, strength, and agility, supplemented by psychological testing to gauge mental resilience under pressure. For the 1968 draft, this process enabled the Cowboys to identify overlooked talent from smaller schools and non-traditional backgrounds, contributing to selections like defensive end Tody Smith in the third round; Brandt's emphasis on comprehensive evaluations, including combine-style workouts, helped Dallas maintain a competitive edge in talent acquisition.[14][15]Draft logistics
Date and location
The 1968 NFL/AFL draft occurred over two days, January 30–31, at the Belmont Plaza Hotel in New York City.[16][4] This venue, a midtown Manhattan hotel, hosted the proceedings in a conference room typical of the era's low-key draft events.[17] The two-day structure accommodated the draft's 17 rounds and 462 total selections, allowing teams to deliberate without rushing the process.[4] Attendance was limited to essential personnel, including NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle, general managers, coaches, and scouts from the 24 teams (14 NFL, 10 AFL), marking a continuation of the in-person, invitation-only format used since the NFL draft began in 1936.[17][18][4] Media coverage focused on print outlets and wire services, with reporters from major newspapers like The New York Times and The Associated Press present to report selections in real time; the draft received no television broadcast, as live TV coverage did not debut until 1980.[19] This setup underscored the draft's evolution from scattered hotel meetings in the 1930s and 1940s to a centralized New York event by the late 1960s, though still far from the public spectacles of later decades.[17]Format and selection process
The 1968 NFL/AFL draft operated under the common draft system, the second year of joint selection between the leagues following merger negotiations, with picks alternating between NFL and AFL teams ordered by reverse finishing records from the 1967 season—poorest-performing teams selecting first to promote competitive balance.[3] The draft spanned 17 rounds, totaling 462 selections across both leagues, a structure designed to allow each of the 24 teams (14 NFL, 10 AFL) multiple opportunities to build rosters from eligible college players.[20][4] To accommodate the AFL's expansion with the Cincinnati Bengals, the league awarded compensatory picks to the new franchise, granting them the second and last selections in the first round, the first and last in rounds 2 through 17, plus additional picks at the end of rounds 2 through 4; this resulted in the Bengals receiving 41 total picks, the highest of any team, while the New York Giants had the fewest at 11 due to trades and standard allocation.[6][21][22] Selections were conducted via oral announcements from league commissioners in a centralized location, with team representatives submitting choices in turn without time clocks or strict limits, enabling extended deliberations as seen in prior drafts of the era; following the draft, teams could immediately negotiate and sign their picks, though players retained some free agency options until full league integration.[23][4]Player selections
Round 1
The first round of the 1968 NFL/AFL draft, held on January 30, 1968, featured 27 selections by the league's 24 teams, with the San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Miami Dolphins each holding two picks due to prior trades and expansion allocations. This round emphasized bolstering offensive lines, as ten of the picks were offensive linemen, reflecting teams' priorities to protect emerging quarterbacks and establish run games amid the league's competitive merger landscape. No trades were executed during the live selections in this round, though several picks originated from pre-draft deals, such as the Minnesota Vikings' acquisition of the No. 1 overall choice from the New York Giants in exchange for quarterback Fran Tarkenton and other assets in March 1967.[3] The following table lists all first-round picks, including player, position, college, and drafting team:| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota Vikings | Ron Yary | OT | USC |
| 2 | Cincinnati Bengals | Bob Johnson | C | Tennessee |
| 3 | Atlanta Falcons | Claude Humphrey | DE | Tennessee State |
| 4 | San Diego Chargers | Russ Washington | OT | Missouri |
| 5 | Green Bay Packers | Fred Carr | LB | Texas–El Paso |
| 6 | Boston Patriots | Dennis Byrd | DT | NC State |
| 7 | New Orleans Saints | Kevin Hardy | DE | Notre Dame |
| 8 | Miami Dolphins | Larry Csonka | RB | Syracuse |
| 9 | Buffalo Bills | Haven Moses | WR | San Diego State |
| 10 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Mike Taylor | OT | USC |
| 11 | Detroit Lions | Greg Landry | QB | UMass |
| 12 | Washington Redskins | Jim Smith | DB | Oregon |
| 13 | St. Louis Cardinals | MacArthur Lane | RB | Utah State |
| 14 | Philadelphia Eagles | Tim Rossovich | LB | USC |
| 15 | San Francisco 49ers | Forrest Blue | C | Auburn |
| 16 | Chicago Bears | Mike Hull | RB | USC |
| 17 | New York Jets | Lee White | RB | Weber State |
| 18 | San Diego Chargers | Jim Hill | DB | Texas A&M–Kingsville |
| 19 | Kansas City Chiefs | Mo Moorman | G | Texas A&M |
| 20 | Dallas Cowboys | Dennis Homan | WR | Alabama |
| 21 | Cleveland Browns | Marvin Upshaw | DE | Trinity (TX) |
| 22 | Kansas City Chiefs | George Daney | G | Texas–El Paso |
| 23 | Baltimore Colts | John Williams | OT | Minnesota |
| 24 | Detroit Lions | Earl McCullouch | WR | USC |
| 25 | Oakland Raiders | Eldridge Dickey | QB | Tennessee State |
| 26 | Green Bay Packers | Bill Lueck | G | Arizona |
| 27 | Miami Dolphins | Doug Crusan | OT | Indiana |
Round 2
The second round of the 1968 NFL/AFL common draft featured a mix of promising talents across positions, with teams emphasizing quarterback prospects amid the league's evolving passing game and defensive reinforcements for rebuilding rosters. A total of 28 players were selected, spanning both NFL and AFL franchises, many of whom developed into key contributors despite varying immediate impacts.[4] Among the standout selections was Curley Culp, drafted 31st overall by the Denver Broncos as a defensive tackle from Arizona State; though he initially signed with the Kansas City Chiefs via territorial rights, Culp anchored their defensive line en route to a Super Bowl IV victory and earned six Pro Bowl nods over his career.[26] Another highlight was Ken Stabler, taken 52nd overall by the Oakland Raiders as a quarterback from Alabama, who began his professional tenure as an inactive player in 1968 and 1969 before serving as a backup to Daryle Lamonica in 1970.[27] Stabler's value as a late-second-round pick proved exceptional, as he later became the Raiders' starter, earning NFL MVP honors in 1974 and 1976, leading the league in passing touchdowns those years, and guiding the team to a Super Bowl XI win in 1977 with 180 passing yards and a touchdown.[27] Quarterbacks dominated team strategies in this round, with three selected—Gary Beban (30th overall, Los Angeles Rams, UCLA), Mike Livingston (48th overall, Kansas City Chiefs, SMU), and Stabler—reflecting the premium placed on signal-callers during the AFL-NFL merger era to bolster aerial attacks.[4] Offensive tackles received targeted attention as well, exemplified by Ernie Ruple's selection at 36th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers from Arkansas, aimed at fortifying the line amid competitive divisional play.[4] Relative to scouting expectations, Beban represented a potential reach; as the 1967 Heisman Trophy winner, he was projected as a first-round talent but slipped to the third pick of Round 2, ultimately appearing in only 17 NFL games over three seasons before retiring due to contract disputes and performance challenges. In contrast, Stabler and Culp emerged as steals, exceeding their draft positions to achieve Hall of Fame careers—Culp with 11.5 sacks in 1975 alone and a Defensive Player of the Year award, underscoring the round's depth in defensive talent.[26][27]Round 3
The third round of the 1968 NFL/AFL draft produced several long-term contributors who addressed depth needs across offensive and defensive lines, contrasting with the immediate star potential of first- and second-round selections. Teams used these picks to bolster positional weaknesses, particularly in the evolving passing game where versatile tight ends could enhance receiving options while maintaining blocking duties. Overall, the round emphasized reliability over flash, with many players earning quick roster spots through specialized roles.[4][1] A prime example was tight end Charlie Sanders, taken 74th overall by the Detroit Lions from the University of Minnesota. As a rookie in 1968, Sanders recorded 40 receptions for 533 yards and one touchdown, immediately integrating into the Lions' offense alongside quarterbacks Greg Landry and Bill Munson. His role expanded significantly in 1969, when he hauled in 42 passes for 656 yards and three scores, earning first-team All-Pro honors—the first of three straight such accolades—and a Pro Bowl nod. Over his 10-year career, all with Detroit, Sanders amassed 336 receptions for 4,817 yards and 31 touchdowns, retiring as the franchise's all-time receiving leader and cementing his status as a key asset in the team's passing attack.[28][29] The Houston Oilers targeted defensive reinforcement with the 77th pick, selecting defensive end Elvin Bethea from North Carolina A&T. Bethea debuted in 1968 and played all 16 of his professional seasons with Houston, appearing in 210 games—including a franchise-record 135 consecutive starts—and unofficially recording 105 sacks, the most in Oilers/Titans history. His consistency earned him eight Pro Bowl selections (1970, 1972–1976, 1979, 1980) and six All-AFL/AFC honors, providing the Oilers with a durable edge rusher who filled a critical need for run defense and pass rush depth.[30] Offensive line stability was another focus, as seen with the Oakland Raiders' selection of tackle Art Shell 80th overall from Maryland Eastern Shore. Shell started as a rookie in 1968 and anchored the left side for 15 seasons, playing in 207 games and contributing to eight Pro Bowl appearances along with four All-Pro nods. He started in Super Bowls XI and XV—both Raiders victories—and earned six consecutive All-Pro selections from 1973 to 1978, offering immediate protection for the quarterback and run support that addressed Oakland's needs in a physical AFL/NFL landscape.[31] These third-round choices, including Sanders at tight end, exemplified how the draft's mid-rounds supplied role players who transitioned to starters, providing teams with the depth to compete in the inaugural merged-league season while building for future contention.[32]Round 4
The fourth round of the 1968 NFL/AFL draft, encompassing picks 84 through 111, primarily targeted developmental prospects intended to provide depth and future contributions rather than immediate starters, reflecting teams' strategies to build rosters amid the leagues' merger dynamics.[4] These selections often focused on versatile athletes with potential for growth, including running backs and defensive backs who could mature into rotational players over several seasons. Among the notable picks, the Cincinnati Bengals selected running back Jess Phillips from Michigan State at No. 84, a choice that paid dividends as Phillips developed into a durable backfield option.[33] Over a 10-year career spanning the Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Oakland Raiders, and New England Patriots, Phillips rushed for 3,568 yards and appeared in 138 games, emerging as a late bloomer whose production peaked in the 1970s with consistent yardage and reliability in multiple backfields.[33] Similarly, the Oakland Raiders drafted running back Charlie Smith from Utah at No. 110, who quickly adapted to a starting role and became a key component of their ground attack.[34] Smith amassed 3,351 rushing yards in 91 games over seven seasons primarily with the Raiders, showcasing the value of mid-round running back selections in sustaining 1970s offenses through steady, workhorse performances.[34] Teams like the San Diego Chargers exemplified the round's emphasis on secondary depth by selecting defensive back Ken Dyer from Arizona State at No. 100, aiming to bolster a unit that needed versatile coverage options for long-term stability.[4] Dyer appeared in 27 games with three interceptions, providing modest but functional depth during his brief tenure.[4] Scouting in this range yielded mixed results; hits such as Smith demonstrated high-impact longevity for contenders, while misses like linebacker Wayne Meylan, taken by the Cleveland Browns at No. 104 from Nebraska, underscored the challenges, as Meylan's career lasted only three seasons with 29 games played before he returned to academia.[35] These outcomes highlighted the round's role in identifying 1970s contributors who often required time to refine their skills amid competitive depth charts.Round 5
In the fifth round of the 1968 NFL/AFL common draft, teams selected players who often filled rotational roles, providing depth on benches and contributing on special teams units during an era when roster spots were limited and versatility was essential.[4] These picks typically came from a mix of major programs and smaller colleges, with many prospects viewed as developmental talent rather than immediate impact starters.[3] One representative example is Cecil Turner, selected 127th overall by the Chicago Bears from California Polytechnic State University, a Division II school that highlighted the draft's reach into non-traditional talent pools.[36] Turner, a wide receiver and flanker, appeared in 76 games over six seasons primarily with the Bears, serving as a bench receiver and elite kick return specialist; he earned a Pro Bowl nod in 1970 after leading the NFL with 1,399 kickoff return yards and scoring on a 98-yard punt return that season.[37] His role exemplified how fifth-round selections bolstered special teams, offering explosive plays without demanding starting offensive snaps.[38] Punter Mike Bragg, taken 117th overall by the Washington Redskins from the University of Richmond, another smaller program, became a long-term special teams mainstay.[39] Bragg played in 188 games across 13 seasons, mostly with Washington, where he handled punting duties and occasionally filled in on offense or defense during injury shortages, averaging 40.5 yards per punt in his career.[40] Such players provided reliable depth, allowing teams to manage injuries and maintain competitive edges in coverage and return units.[41] Running back Jim Kiick, drafted 118th overall by the Miami Dolphins from the University of Wyoming, started as a bench contributor behind established backs but evolved into a key rotational player in Miami's ground attack.[42] Over eight seasons, primarily with the Dolphins, Kiick appeared in 115 games, rushing for 3,359 yards and complementing Hall of Famer Larry Csonka while also chipping in on special teams early in his career.[43] His progression underscored the potential for fifth-round picks to transition from reserve roles to integral team pieces, especially in run-heavy offenses of the late 1960s and 1970s.[44]Round 6
The sixth round of the 1968 NFL/AFL Draft, consisting of 27 selections, highlighted teams' interest in bolstering offensive skill positions, with wide receivers and running backs comprising a significant portion of the picks. Out of the total, six players were selected as wide receivers or flankers, including Lee Johnson (San Francisco 49ers, pick 141), Bob Goodridge (Minnesota Vikings, pick 144), Jimmy Hines (Miami Dolphins, pick 146), Rick Eber (Atlanta Falcons, pick 162), and Monk Williams (Cincinnati Bengals, pick 163), while three running backs were chosen: Jim Hagle (Atlanta Falcons, pick 140), Essex Johnson (Cincinnati Bengals, pick 156), and Walter Chadwick (Green Bay Packers, pick 164). This trend underscored the era's emphasis on versatile offensive talents capable of contributing in both rushing and passing attacks, amid a league transitioning toward more balanced offenses.[4] Among the round's selections, several players emerged as unexpected successes who transitioned from late-round afterthoughts to reliable contributors. D.D. Lewis, drafted by the Dallas Cowboys at pick 159, developed into a cornerstone of the team's "Doomsday Defense," appearing in 186 regular-season games over 14 seasons, all with Dallas, and participating in 27 playoff contests, including victories in Super Bowl VI and Super Bowl XII. Essex Johnson, selected by the Cincinnati Bengals at pick 156, carved out a steady role as a running back, rushing for 3,236 yards on 722 carries with 19 touchdowns across eight NFL seasons, primarily with the Bengals, while also adding 1,742 receiving yards and 12 receiving scores on 146 catches. These players exemplified the potential for sixth-round picks to earn starting roles and provide long-term value, often outperforming their draft position through perseverance and opportunity.[45][46] Other notable selections included Jimmy Hines, the Miami Dolphins' pick at 146, whose blazing speed from his 1968 Olympic gold medal in the 100-meter dash translated to brief but intriguing NFL contributions, with 14 receptions for 202 yards over three seasons before injuries curtailed his career. While many sixth-rounders remained on practice squads or had minimal impact, the round's focus on athletic prospects like these running backs and wide receivers occasionally yielded overlooked gems that influenced team rosters for years.[47]Round 7
In the seventh round of the 1968 NFL/AFL draft, teams primarily targeted players to serve as depth pieces, practice squad contributors, and potential special teams assets, reflecting the diminishing returns of later selections in building competitive rosters. Expansion franchises, such as the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins, utilized these picks to rapidly populate their inaugural lineups with developmental talent. For example, the Saints selected offensive guard Ray Phillips from the University of Michigan with the 169th overall pick; Phillips signed with the team but was released before the regular season, never appearing in an NFL game.[48] Similarly, the Dolphins chose offensive tackle John Boynton from the University of Tennessee at pick 172, who played in 14 games with two starts during his only professional season in 1969 before leaving the league.[49] Other seventh-round selections exemplified brief professional tenures or minimal on-field impact. The Cincinnati Bengals drafted tight end Steve Smith from the University of Miami with the 166th pick, but Smith did not record any NFL statistics or appearances.[21] Buffalo Bills defensive back Pete Richardson, selected 173rd overall from the University of Dayton, appeared in 39 games over four seasons (1968–1971), mostly as a reserve with just one starting assignment.[4] These players often filled roster spots during training camps or provided emergency depth, underscoring the exploratory nature of late-round drafting for emerging AFL and NFL teams. While the round yielded few long-term contributors, it included instances of players transitioning to off-field roles post-career, though none rose prominently to coaching or executive positions in the league.[4]Round 8
In the eighth round of the 1968 NFL/AFL Draft, teams selected 27 players, primarily focusing on developmental prospects to bolster depth rather than immediate starters, with several choices emphasizing special teams contributions and secondary reinforcements. This late-round approach allowed franchises to address niche roles without significant investment, as rosters expanded to include up to 40 players for training camps under league rules.[4] Several selections highlighted the value of special teams specialists who provided reliability in return games and coverage units, often extending their careers through these roles despite limited offensive or defensive snaps. For instance, the Cleveland Browns drafted defensive back Tom Schoen from Notre Dame with the 212th overall pick; after a military commitment delayed his debut, Schoen appeared in 64 games over five seasons (1970–1974 with the Browns and 1975 with the Philadelphia Eagles), recording eight punt returns for 18 yards and one kickoff return for 27 yards, primarily serving as a depth player and special teams contributor. Similarly, the New York Jets selected defensive back Jim Richards from Virginia Tech at pick 210; Richards played two seasons (1968–1969) as a backup, logging time on special teams during the Jets' Super Bowl III-winning campaign, where such depth proved crucial for coverage and morale. These players exemplified how eighth-round picks could "stick around" by filling essential, low-profile duties that supported core units without demanding starter-level talent.[50][51] Teams employed strategic late-round selections to build secondary depth, anticipating injuries and the need for versatile defensive backs who could also handle special teams assignments. The Denver Broncos chose Steve Holloway, a defensive back from Weber State, at pick 196 to add speed and coverage options to their rebuilding defense; although Holloway's pro career was brief, such picks allowed coaches to evaluate athleticism in camp without roster risk. The Philadelphia Eagles similarly targeted Al Lavan, a defensive back from Colorado State, at pick 204, aiming to deepen their cornerback group amid a transitional 1968 season; Lavan's selection reflected a broader trend where AFL and NFL clubs used round 8 to stock secondaries with college athletes suited for zone coverage and return support. This approach ensured competitive practices and injury insurance, as secondaries required 4–6 reliable bodies per game. While few eighth-rounders from 1968 achieved long-term stardom—most lasting 1–3 seasons or less—these selections were vital for training camp battles, where they pushed veterans and filled out scout-team roles to simulate opponents. For example, the Boston Patriots' pick of Daryl Johnson, a defensive back from Morgan State, at 197 provided immediate camp competition, even if his NFL tenure was minimal; such depth choices helped teams like the expansion Bengals and Saints refine schemes without over-relying on free agents. Overall, round 8 underscored the draft's role in cultivating roster fillers whose impacts, though subtle, sustained team competitiveness during a merger-era transition.[4]Round 9
In the ninth round of the 1968 NFL/AFL draft, teams targeted long-shot prospects, often favoring players from smaller college programs who showed potential but lacked the exposure of major conference stars. These selections represented high-risk investments, with most draftees failing to translate their college success to professional rosters due to the intense competition and physical demands of the league.[4] A prime example is defensive back Phil Johnson, selected 220th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals from Long Beach State University, a mid-major program known more for basketball than football dominance. Johnson appeared in zero NFL games, underscoring the slim odds for late-round picks from non-elite schools to earn playing time. Similarly, the Pittsburgh Steelers chose offensive tackle Dave Smith 228th overall from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Division II school at the time; Smith recorded no professional statistics and did not make an NFL roster, reflecting the barriers for small-school linemen in adapting to pro-level schemes.[4] The Philadelphia Eagles selected wide receiver Bob Jones 231st overall from the University of Richmond, another smaller Southern Conference institution; Jones also played zero games, as his skill set did not secure a spot amid established veterans.[4] The New Orleans Saints picked offensive guard Joe Blake 223rd overall from the University of Tulsa, a program outside the major football powers, who likewise saw no NFL action despite signing with the team; he was later allocated to a minor league squad, illustrating the brief professional paths typical for such prospects. These examples highlight how ninth-round choices from smaller programs like Long Beach State, Indiana (PA), Richmond, and Tulsa often resulted in minimal or no league contributions, with eligibility rules allowing a broader pool of candidates from non-traditional football factories.[4] No trades for future considerations occurred in this round, preserving the original selection order and enabling teams to pursue these developmental bets without positional swaps.[6]Round 10
The tenth round of the 1968 NFL/AFL common draft featured 27 selections, spanning picks 247 through 273, with teams primarily targeting depth players for training camp tryouts amid the ongoing league merger discussions that would eventually standardize roster limits to 40 active players.[4] These late-round choices reflected the era's strategy of inviting lesser-known prospects to compete for roster spots, often prioritizing positional needs like linemen over high-upside talent.[6] Most draftees in this round enjoyed minimal or no NFL playing time, emphasizing the tryout-oriented purpose of such selections, as only about a third appeared in regular-season games.[4] For example, the Cincinnati Bengals opened the round by selecting running back Wayne Patrick from Louisville (pick 247), who never played professionally, while the Miami Dolphins took defensive back Jerry Lawson from Utah (pick 251), also with zero games logged.[4] Such outcomes were typical, as teams scouted small-college or overlooked athletes to address immediate depth without significant investment. The New York Jets exemplified this approach with their pick of defensive back Mike D'Amato from Hofstra (pick 264), a late addition to build secondary depth ahead of the 1968 season that culminated in Super Bowl III. D'Amato earned a spot on the active roster, recording one tackle in the postseason, but his professional tenure ended after that single year.[52][53] Linemen selections dominated the round, serving as key tryout invites to bolster offensive and defensive fronts. The Atlanta Falcons drafted guard Mike Tomasini from Colorado State (pick 248) for interior line competition, though he recorded no NFL appearances; similarly, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected tackle Joe Mirto from Miami (FL) (pick 253) to vie for depth roles, but Mirto too failed to translate to regular-season action.[4] These choices highlighted teams' focus on raw size and potential for practice squad utility rather than immediate starters. Among the few with extended careers, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Tommy Hart from Morris Brown College (pick 261) stood out, playing 13 seasons across 180 games with 31 sacks and three Pro Bowl nods, providing a rare instance of longevity from the round's speculative pool.[54] Defensive back Ocie Austin, taken by the Baltimore Colts from Utah State (pick 257), also contributed modestly over four seasons with 32 games and two interceptions before retiring.[55] Overall, the round underscored the merger-era draft's depth-building function, where tryouts rarely yielded stars but occasionally filled essential gaps.[4]Round 11
The eleventh round of the 1968 NFL/AFL draft featured 27 selections, serving largely as filler picks to complete teams' 17-round draft boards and provide potential depth for training camps.[56] These late-round choices, spanning overall picks 274 through 300, focused on prospects from a mix of major programs and smaller colleges, with teams aiming to uncover hidden talent amid the era's expansive draft format.[4] Like most selections beyond the early rounds, the majority of these players were waived or cut post-camp, contributing minimally or not at all to professional rosters as teams prioritized higher picks for active duty.[57] Despite the round's role in roster padding, a handful of draftees carved out meaningful careers, exemplifying the occasional success of deep selections in the pre-free-agency era. Marv Hubbard, selected 277th overall by the Oakland Raiders out of Colgate University as a running back, emerged as one of the round's standout contributors; he played seven seasons exclusively with the Raiders from 1969 to 1975, amassing 3,581 rushing yards on 769 carries, earning three Pro Bowl nods, and becoming a key component of their rushing attack during the AFL-NFL merger transition. Similarly, Chip Oliver, a linebacker picked 298th overall (also by the Raiders) from the University of Southern California, appeared in 42 games over five seasons (1968–1972), recording 3 interceptions and providing defensive depth on a contending team. Gordon Rule, drafted 299th by the Green Bay Packers as a defensive back from Dartmouth College, logged 40 games across four seasons (1968–1972), including starts in his rookie year, before transitioning to coaching. Other contributors included Dennis Partee, a kicker taken 291st by the San Diego Chargers from Southern Methodist University, who handled placekicking duties in 69 games from 1968 to 1973, converting 70.6% of his field goal attempts; Rich Coady, a center selected 289th by the Chicago Bears from Memphis State, who snapped in 7 games over two seasons (1970–1971); and Henry Davis, a linebacker picked 288th by the New York Giants from Grambling State, who played 28 games for the Browns and Packers from 1970 to 1971. These rare successes underscored the draft's speculative nature at this stage, where teams often gambled on under-the-radar athletes to bolster practice squads or special teams without expecting immediate starters. No prominent stories of military service delays emerged among round 11 picks, unlike some earlier selections affected by the Vietnam War era.[56]Round 12
In the twelfth round of the 1968 NFL/AFL Draft, teams selected 27 players, continuing a pattern of deep scouting to secure developmental prospects amid the ongoing talent competition between the leagues following their merger agreement.[17] By this stage, selections often targeted the bottom of scouting lists, with the intent to exhaust draft boards and retain player rights for potential future seasons, as drafted players were bound to the selecting team for several years unless traded or released.[58] This strategy helped prevent rivals from signing promising talents as free agents, particularly in an era when the draft extended to 17 rounds to control the player pool extensively.[58] One notable example of a late-round pick pursuing an alternative path was defensive lineman Greg Pipes, selected 306th overall by the Buffalo Bills from Baylor University. Pipes opted not to sign with the Bills and instead joined the Canadian Football League, where he enjoyed a distinguished career as an all-star defensive tackle for the Toronto Argonauts (1969–1971), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1972–1973), and Edmonton Eskimos (1974–1976), earning West Division All-Star honors in 1971 and contributing to the Eskimos' Grey Cup victory in 1975.[59] Such choices highlighted the appeal of the CFL for some draftees, offering immediate playing opportunities and competitive salaries outside the NFL structure. Overall, round 12 picks like tight end Bob Trumpy (301st, Cincinnati Bengals, Utah) and wide receiver Harold Jackson (323rd, Los Angeles Rams, Jackson State) provided occasional immediate depth, but most served as low-risk investments for long-term roster building, reflecting teams' exhaustive approach to talent acquisition in the pre-merger transition period.[60]Round 13
In the thirteenth round of the 1968 NFL/AFL draft, teams made selections primarily to secure exclusive negotiation rights to prospects, a common practice in late rounds when immediate roster impact was unlikely. This round encompassed picks 328 through 354, with franchises addressing potential depth requirements at positions like linebacker, running back, and defensive back, often targeting players from mid-major colleges amid the league's expansion era. The process underscored the speculative nature of deep draft picks, where acquiring rights served as a defensive measure against rival teams in the pre-merger competition between the NFL and AFL.[6][4] Very few players from this round signed professional contracts or appeared in regular-season games, highlighting the low success rate of late-round selections. Notable exceptions included Denver Broncos defensive back Charlie Greer, selected 330th overall from the University of Colorado, who signed with the team and played seven seasons, accumulating 88 games primarily as a safety. Similarly, Atlanta Falcons running back Billy Harris, the 329th pick also from Colorado, signed and appeared in 22 games across stints with Atlanta, Minnesota, and New Orleans from 1968 to 1971. In contrast, selections like Cincinnati Bengals linebacker James Bivins (328th, Texas Southern University) and New Orleans Saints defensive end K.O. Trepanier (331st, Montana State University) did not record any professional appearances, emphasizing the focus on rights over development.[61][62][4] The extended length of 1960s drafts, such as the 17 rounds totaling 462 picks in 1968, reflected the era's talent wars, allowing teams to stockpile rights to dozens of players per draft to block competitors and prepare for roster turnover. Held over two days at the Belmont Plaza Hotel in New York City, these later rounds often filled last-minute needs for special teams or injury replacements, though most draftees pursued other careers or remained unsigned.[4][6]Round 14
The fourteenth round of the 1968 NFL/AFL draft featured 27 selections, comprising overall picks 355 through 381, primarily consisting of players who pursued limited or no professional careers.[4] These late-round choices underscored the speculative nature of deep draft talent evaluation, with most draftees serving as depth options or failing to make rosters amid the competitive landscape of the merging leagues.[3] Representative examples of the round's obscurity include running back Les Webster from Iowa State, selected 355th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals, who did not appear in any NFL games. Similarly, running back Joe Polk from Livingstone College, taken 356th by the Atlanta Falcons, logged no playing time and contributed negligibly to team success.[4] No players from this round achieved All-Pro honors or sustained starting roles, reflecting the high attrition rate typical of mid-to-late 1960s drafts where most selections beyond the tenth round never played a regular-season game.[4] The Cincinnati Bengals, as a new expansion franchise granted compensatory selections, held the round's opening pick at 355th overall, using it on running back Les Webster from Iowa State; Webster did not appear in any NFL games, exemplifying the risks even for teams with additional opportunities to stock rosters.[21] One exception to the round's general lack of impact was the Denver Broncos' 357th overall selection of quarterback Marlin Briscoe from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, who debuted as the first African American starter at the position in the AFL's modern era, starting five games for Denver in 1968 before transitioning to wide receiver and later contributing to the Miami Dolphins' Super Bowl VII victory.[4][63][64] Overall, the round's picks illustrated the 1968 draft's inclusivity by sourcing talent from diverse institutions, ranging from major programs like Iowa State to smaller schools such as Livingstone College and Jackson State, broadening access to professional opportunities in an era of league expansion and gradual diversification.[4]Round 15
The fifteenth round of the 1968 NFL/AFL common draft, held January 30–31 in New York City, featured overall picks 382 through 408 across the 24 participating teams, marking a final push to secure depth players amid the league's pre-merger expansion.[3][65] These selections primarily targeted reinforcements for offensive and defensive lines as well as secondaries, with teams like the expansion Cincinnati Bengals and New Orleans Saints employing their picks to build foundational depth in these areas.[65][66] A notable trend in this round was the inclusion of players from smaller colleges, often overlooked in earlier rounds, as teams scoured for potential sleepers from non-major programs. Examples include guard Harvey Palmore from Morgan State (a historically Black college) selected by the Bengals at pick 382, and offensive tackle Bob Wells from Johnson C. Smith University (another HBCU) taken by the San Diego Chargers (acquired from Houston) at 403.[65][67] Other small-school grabs encompassed linebacker Jeff Kuhman from the University of Vermont (Denver Broncos, 386) and defensive tackle John Gilmore from Peru State College (Buffalo Bills, 389), highlighting the draft's reach into Division II and NAIA institutions for line and secondary prospects.[65]| Overall Pick | Team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 382 | Cincinnati Bengals | Harvey Palmore | G | Morgan State |
| 386 | Denver Broncos | Jeff Kuhman | LB | Vermont |
| 389 | Buffalo Bills | John Gilmore | DT | Peru State |
| 395 | San Francisco 49ers | Clarence Spencer | WR | Louisville |
| 403 | San Diego Chargers | Bob Wells | OT | Johnson C. Smith |